Kayunga– The Mufti of Uganda, His Eminence Dr. Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, has commended a Türkiye-backed charity initiative for supporting mass weddings among vulnerable Muslim communities, describing it as a rare and impactful intervention.
The remarks were delivered on his behalf by Second Deputy Mufti, Dr. Sheikh Hafidh Muhammad Harunah Bukenya, during a mass wedding ceremony held on April 12, 2026, at Kayunga Muslim District Mosque headquarters. The event, organized under the annual mass wedding program of the Kayunga Muslim District Council, saw several couples—including persons with disabilities—exchange marriage vows.
Dr. Bukenya praised the initiative, supported by Turkish nationals living in the Netherlands through Time To Help Charity in partnership with Nile Humanitarian Development Agency, for directly addressing social and moral challenges affecting underprivileged Muslims.
“This is an admirable effort that should be replicated across other rural communities. It enables those constrained by poverty to enter lawful marriages in accordance with Islamic teachings,” he said.
He emphasized that Islam promotes formal unions and discourages unlawful relationships, urging Muslim faithful to embrace marriage within their means. He further revealed plans by the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council to expand and popularize the initiative across other districts.
Addressing the newlywed couples, including Wassajja Faisal and Salima Naluyima, as well as Abdu-Raufu Kirunda and Nabasirye Aminah, Dr. Bukenya urged them to uphold faith, mutual respect, and responsibility in their marriages.
Meanwhile, Time To Help Charity Director, Omer Tozkoparan, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting similar social transformation programs, including future mass weddings for disadvantaged groups.
Kayunga District Kadhi, Sheikh Umar Gugumiza, encouraged the couples to build strong foundations rooted in patience and understanding, while also calling on donors to extend support to other community needs such as vocational training, education infrastructure, healthcare, and access to clean water.
The ceremony concluded with couples receiving essential start-up items, including mattresses, bicycles, clothing, and food supplies to help them begin their new lives.
Local Muslim leaders, led by District Secretary Miladi Hirya, were in attendance.
